My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.

Song of Solomon 2:16

Explanation:
We see here another attribute of a healthy courtship or marriage relationship- the attribute of exclusivity. The young maiden says, “My beloved is mine, and I am his.” This speaks to a sort of possession. They belong to each other. There is an understanding that they now have boundaries wherein they act. This is not a bad thing. By saying yes to each other, they are saying no to others. There is an exclusion of having the same kind of relationship with other people.

She also says, “he feedeth among the lilies.” This continues a metaphor begun earlier that compares her beloved to a gazelle or a deer (v.9) and will again in the next verse (v.17). The imagery here is of a deer eating. The idea is that he is getting his romantic sustenance exclusively from her.

Application:
Courting and Marriage relationships only work when they are exclusive. This is God’s design for marriage. Even in dating we must be careful with the heart and allegiance of another person. Fidelity is of utmost importance. Again, relationships are grounded in trust, and trust is directly connected to integrity.

Response:
• How should the exclusive attribute of a healthy marriage relationship look?
• How should the exclusive attribute of a healthy dating relationship look?